Archive for June 6th, 2012

Ahead of the meeting, a citizens’ group sent this press release asking councillors to reject Richmond Rd./Byron Ave. as a primary LRT corridor. Three of the four top-ranked routes involve Richmond/Byron.

OTTAWA – Neighbours for Smart Western Rail, a growing grassroots organization of concerned Ottawa residents, is calling on the City of Ottawa transportation committee to reject any options for a western commuter train route that would cut along the Richmond/Byron corridor.

Putting a high-speed commuter train, carrying 12,000 to 14,000 passengers per hour, straight through the heart of a tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood would be devastating to the local community. The Richmond/Byron routes would also cost Ottawa taxpayers up to $1.85 billion more than the lowest cost alternative.

“Racing commuters along Byron-Richmond would present little benefit for local residents, but do damage to a neighbourhood that is a model of sustainable growth,” said Trevor Jones, a member of Neighbours for Smart Western Rail.

The communities that border Richmond/Byron are already a haven for pedestrians and cyclists – a characteristic that should be protected by the city. The noise, vibration and huge physical presence of a commuter train would disrupt a central Ottawa neighbourhood that already functions beautifully for families who stroll the streets and paths, for children who walk and bike to area schools, and for the many seniors who enjoy the tranquility of the area.

Any damage to the Byron Linear Park or Rochester Field with their generations-old trees would be inconsistent with the city’s efforts to preserve green space.

“The City of Ottawa needs to consider how it will protect the pedestrian, family-friendly nature of the neighbourhoods around the Byron-Richmond corridor,” said Jones. “No good argument has been presented yet for why a high-speed commuter train needs to cut through a residential neighbourhood. Councillors should be exploring other options.”